Glimpse into raw chocolate

I am a self confessed chocoholic, and thankfully, I have not had to let this go with all my food intolerances (apart from a few phases of elimination diets - but they won't take it from me!). The great thing about having to reassess what type of chocolate I eat, is that I now consume a treat which is actually full of nutrients and healthy fats, and low in sugar. I make a raw chocolate, which is easy and simple to make. It is such a quick recipe that you can satisfy your chocolate cravings almost immediately! It can also be flavoured to suit your tastebuds and creativity. All these attributes make this chocolate pretty darn amazing, I think. Life is about finding things which make you happy. Instead of denying yourself something you love, alter it so that it is good for you!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup raw cocao powder

4 tablespoons maple syrup/rice syrup (more if you like it sweeter)

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/2 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Pinch of salt

1. Mix together ingredients until well combined. 
2. Pour into a shallow tray.
3. Sprinkle with your favourite additions. Try these ideas: zest of one lime and one orange plus a handful of cacao nibs.... Shredded coconut.... Smashed frozen raspberries... Crushed nuts... Or stir into the mixture 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon of mint essence, or 1 - 2 teaspoons of rosewater.
4. Set it in the freezer for at least 1/2 - 1 hour. 
5. This keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer so that you are always ready for those chocolate craving moments! 

Glimpse into Lamingtons

This weekend in Australia is a long weekend, because on Monday, January 26th it is Australia Day. On this day in 1788, the arrival of the First Fleet of the British Ships occurred. It is now a celebration of our diverse country, our history and this beautiful land.

As with all celebrations, iconic food is a must! One such treat is the humble Lamington. Typically, this is a square of sponge cake, covered in chocolate sauce and desiccated coconut. I decided that I must create a grain/gluten/egg/dairy free version, which is also low in FODMAPs, and simple to make. Here is what I came up with, and from all accounts, it is reasonably close considering the limitations!

Glimpse into finding the right foods for you

Recently, I received a comment that stated that the raw vegetable juices I drink are full of anti-nutrients and cause my autoimmune diseases, and that I eat too many sweet tasting foods. To be honest, this sent me into a bit of a spin.

Trust me, I have read about the fact green leaves might impact my thyroid condition. I have researched about fructose like there is no tomorrow. I have learned as much as I can about what foods are good and bad for autoimmune issues.

When you bounce from one recommendation to another, desperately trying to find a way to heal your body, sometimes it can feel like every element of our lifestyle is against you and how on earth are you ever going to become healthy? I have so many food intolerances that a lot of foods are taken from my diet whether they are healthy or not. I also now avoid some foods because of research which shows their contribution to autoimmune symptoms. So when someone comes along and says that the foods that remain on a short and precious list are bad for you (in their opinion), the only reaction available is a melt down, envisaging starvation and banging your head up against a brick wall!


At some point, you have to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of each food, and decide what to eat. Most foods actually contain anti-nutrients or toxins; they contain something which could cause some type of reaction in the body which is not considered good. However, a lot of those foods are also bursting with amazing qualities which keep your body functioning. Can you imagine avoiding anti-nutrients completely?! You would starve to death. That does not seem to be conducive to good health to me! Take into consideration pre-existing conditions, determine which foods can cause issues because of these conditions and adjust your diet accordingly, and then continue to eat a healthy, wide variety of whole foods.

I recently learned of a condition called orthorexia. It is an eating disorder which focuses on eating healthy foods and avoiding unhealthy foods to an excessive level. This stunned me, because I think that it would be quite easy to find yourself on this track when you are so desperate to heal from chronic health issues, and you begin to use food as a healing method. When you read that even a mouthful of gluten can set off an autoimmune flare, and that more than 2-3 serves of even low fructose fruit a day can hinder your healing, and thousands of other facts and opinions to consider, it can be quite stifling and stressful. Throw in that your body is not doing what you want it to do, or looking the way you want it to because you are unwell, and this could be a recipe for disaster.

Our society is starting to realise how important food is in the process of healing our bodies, instead of instantly reaching for medication or surgery. In this time, there is so much information circulating that we can easily obtain. This can be highly empowering and useful, but it can also be overwhelming and debilitating. Reach out for help from nutritionists, dieticians, naturopaths and doctors if you need help to find your way. Do your best to feed your body healthy and enriching foods, and then relax. I still feel stressed about the comment made by someone who does not know me or my situation, but I know that I am doing the best I can for my body. I am constantly learning and looking for better ways to improve my health, and will continue to do so. Giving into the negative scare tactics and debate which is rife will only render your health into an even worse state. Make informed, educated decisions about your health, and know that you are doing the best you can.

Glimpse into fighting for the life you want to live

Having chronic illnesses is like being a tightrope walker, juggling twenty different balls, with one arm tied behind your back and a blind fold over your eyes.

 *

You are forever fighting against losing every aspect of your life which is important to you, while at the same time finding the delicate balance of where to step so as to not over do it and make yourself more unwell. Sometimes I fear that I have dropped too many things - I do not work, I can not study, I do not exercise, I barely attend social functions, I often can not do my hobbies, I have moved back in with my parents; so much of what makes me me is currently not part of my life. Sometimes I feel so shaken and distraught by the thought that I am getting older and I am missing out a crucial part of my life. I know that I have fought; every day I work towards better health. I know that I do not make excuses, I have definite goals, and I am determined to reach them. The body's weaknesses are hard to beat though, and I am on a long, slow road. Finding that happy medium, where you do not give up, where you battle against the odds to reach your goals, and where you do not push too far that you create damage; that is the real challenge of living with chronic illness.

Reassessing what you want from your life is often part of the answer. Making realistic goals will get you further. I have posters on my wall with my goals written on them. These goals are not the same as the ones I had 2, 5, or 10 years ago. Some are smaller versions of them. Some are completely new ones, born out of the rediscovery of myself through the shake up that illness is to life. Some seem huge to me now, but I know that if I can keep fighting, I can keep working towards them.

While you work towards these goals, find something that you find rewarding that is within your capabilities. Try so hard to not be the illness. You are you, and there are so many things that make you you, and only you can fight to keep them within. Every little step in the right direction, as small as it is, takes you a step closer to good health, and a step closer to getting back the life you want and deserve.

 

I am thankful for what my body still allows me to do, but there is so much that I miss out on and I want to do everything in my power to do all that I want to do with my life. Look deep into yourself and find what it is you want to fight for, and claw back to that point with every fibre of your being. We can do it.

 

 *In trying to find tight rope walking photos, I stumbled across this photo of Chinese acrobat, Aisikaier, who tight rope walked 656 feet over a ravine, blind folded. Moments before the reaching the end, he felt dizzy and fell. Amazingly, he walked away from it with barely a scratch! Everyone has to give what they are passionate about a go, no matter how crazy it may seem! 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2170881/Chinese-tightrope-walker-plummets-ground-trying-high-wire-stunt-backwards-AND-blindfolded.html

Glimpse into Foodie Friday - week 45 - nut free pesto

I posted a pesto recipe on Instagram a while ago, and have also shared the pesto with friends a few times, and I keep getting requests for it to appear on the blog! With it being on my blog's instragram account, I kept thinking I had posted it! So here it is! Thank you for your patience and enthusiasm!

This pesto is nut free, but full of flavour. Make sure you stir it before serving, as the liquid can separate a little and become a tad runny.

Pesto 

1 cup of kale or spinach
2 cups of basil
1/4 - 1/2 avocado
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2-5 anchovies (to your desired taste)
1/4 cup of olive oil (add a few splashes of garlic oil too if you like)
1 pinch of salt


Optional add ins:

* 2 tablespoons of oregano
*1/2 cup coconut milk
*10 olives

Blend all the ingredients. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. Serve with fresh sliced vegetables, such as carrots, cucumber and celery, or through a bowl of zoodles/zucchini "noodles" (or any other way that takes your fancy)!

Glimpse into week seven of the Autoimmune Protocol

I feel quite happy with my progress on the Autoimmune Protocol. If nothing else, I have decided that I am much better off not sneaking in the foods I know that am intolerant to (who knew?!). I have decided that I am going to continue to avoid grains, gluten, nightshades, sugar, and the foods I am intolerant to (dairy, wheat, peanuts, eggs and FODMAPs) indefinitely.

Glimpse into week six of the Autoimmune Protocol

Week six! This is flying by. I would say my progress this week is similar to last week's. I have had the added nuisance of regular nausea though, which I am frustrated and confused by!

Does anyone else have issues with meat, and different ways of cooking meat? I have had problems with slowed cooked and stewed meats for some time. Even the smell of them cooking makes me feel unwell. This week, as strange as it sounds, I think meat that has a stringy, fibrous texture is what might be causing the problem. I would love to hear anyone else's ideas about digestive issues with meat, why it occurs, and ways to overcome it.

Glimpse into week five of the Autoimmune Protocol, and starting Midodrine

This week began with a visit to a friend's place which involved food. I cut up a pile of carrots, celery, and cucumber, and created a pesto. It was simple, but I was able to cater for myself as well as bring something that other people would be interested in eating (though, placed on a table which was full of amazing looking (and smelling!) cakes and sausage rolls, I'd have not blamed a soul for not touching the rabbit food!!!)

Glimpse into Foodie Friday - week 38 - AIP & FODMAP friendly green smoothies

As I mentioned in my update for week four of the autoimmune protocol, I am finding that green smoothies are a great start to the day.
I have previously done a post about green smoothies here. These are all AIP compatible, however you will need to skip the chia seeds, and use water, coconut water, or coconut milk for the liquid, instead of other milk alternatives.

Here are a few more which I have been enjoying of late.


The creamy delight:

A large handful of kale/spinach
1 stick of celery
1 frozen banana (sliced before freezing)
A few berries or pineapple
A few shakes of cinnamon
A big splash of coconut milk
Water (enough to create desired consistency)



The tropical juice:

A large handful of kale/spinach
1 celery stick
A large squeeze of lemon juice
A big chunk of fresh ginger
A small amount of fresh pineapple
Water (enough to create desired consistency)



The fierce zinger:

A large handful of kale/spinach
1 celery stick
1 kiwi fruit
A small chunk of fresh ginger
A few shakes of ground cinnamon
A few squeezes of lemon juice
Water (enough to create desired consistency)

Glimpse into week four of the Autoimmune Protocol

I can not believe it, but I have now completed one month of the AIP diet! Time flies when you're having (free of everything) fun!!! ;-) 

Glimpse into week three of the Autoimmune Protocol

I have now completed week three of this diet, and boy, has this week been about cravings!

Glimpse into week two of the Autoimmune Protocol

I made it through my second week following the AIP diet! Things went a bit better this week.

Glimpse into week one of the AIP protocol

I have been following the Autoimmune Protocol diet now for a week and a half.

Glimpse into chocolate walnut muffins - Foodie Friday week 19

On this Foodie Friday, I wanted to make a simple sweet for a friend's birthday. I am loving baking with cacao of late, so apologies, here is another chocolatey recipe!! Mmm mmm!

I love adding walnuts into baked treats. They add an amazing taste and texture, and have many healthy benefits. They have good quantities of omega 3 fats, protein and fibre, and melatonin (which helps regulate sleep). They contain antioxidants and vitamins for healthy hair and skin, and are good for heart and brain health, decreasing your risk of cancer, and can destroy harmful free radical chemicals. Pregnant women can reduce their baby's risk of allergies by eating the fatty acids, and men's fertility can even be boosted by the little walnut! All these sound to me like awesome reasons to throw a few walnuts into your baking!

Glimpse into body image with chronic conditions (i.e. wanting to look and feel great!) Wellness Wednesday week 15

Something that I do not see written about much in relation to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and other chronic illnesses, is body image and getting fit. Obviously, it is not the highest priority when you are struggling to gain a good quality of life, so it doesn't feature so much in articles or forums. However, I feel that it is an important factor to consider. When you lose control over your body and it is not functioning well, it adds to the frustration and sadness when you realise that you can not even work towards making it do and look like you want.

Glimpse into lemons and a No Bake Lemon Slice - Foodie Friday week 14

For this week's Foodie Friday, I am looking at the humble lemon, and am giving you a tasty, super easy, no bake slice recipe which I made up recently. I have struggled to post lately because I haven't been well, so I apologise for my silence!

Lemons (and other citric fruits) are considered the lowest fructose containing fruits. Therefore they are great for use in meals and drinks for those of us with fructose malabsorption. They also have health benefits such as helping to improve skin health and beauty. They can have a calming effect so are good in stressful situations, and can help with metabolism, digestion and the elimination of toxin build up in the body. They also have antiviral qualities, with vitamin C, and can boost energy.

Soak up the benefits in this nutritious no bake slice.

No bake lemon slice

Base

1 cup quinoa flakes or gluten free oats

1 cup almond meal (or LSA - linseed, sunflower and almond meal)

1 cup desiccated coconut

200g dairy butter

1/3 cup lemon juice

1 lemon rind

1/3 cup coconut oil

3 tbsp rice syrup

2 tbsp chia seeds

1/2 cup rice milk (if needed*)

Icing

2 cups dextrose

1 1/2 tbsp melted butter

3 tbsp lemon

Line a 20 x 30 cm tray or airtight container with baking paper.

Mix all the base ingredients together well.

Press the mixture into the lined tray or container.

Refrigerate until firm.

Combine the icing ingredients well til smooth.

Spread icing over slice base.

Refrigerate until firm.

Cut into squares.

Store in sealed or covered container in the fridge or freezer.

*You may find your mix is wet enough without the rice milk, or you may just desire a few splashes. 1/2 cup creates quite a moist slice, but it still is firm. A fork is in order to eat it with though!

Glimpse into Motivation Monday - week 8 2014

This week's Motivation Monday...

 

This is especially apparent in chronic illness, due to the ongoing unwell times and loneliness, and then the stressful visits to doctors, endless tests, worry about employment and your lack of independence, and how you will get your life back on track, the loss of friends, and life plans and loved activities. Sometimes it can all feel unbearable. 

What I try to tell myself when I feel like this is that this is just how life goes. This is what it is all about, and by getting through the tough times, we get to the good times. Some things are hard, and they hurt, and they are unfair, but if we can not change them we should not focus on them. It is the hard things that we do have control over which we should put our energy into. Let go of the unchangeable, accept it, and adjust to it, and work on what you can change.

And sometimes, when everything happens at once, it will be the good things. 

 

Just take each ball as it comes. Accept the strikes, and hit the others out of the ball park. We can do it.

Glimpse into Foodie Friday week 7 2014 - Cinnamon

Good afternoon! Happy Foodie Friday! 

Yes, I know. It is Saturday. Oops! The first Foodie Friday of the new series should have begun yesterday, but as most of us know, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has its moments which make a regular routine unrealistic! I may have to change Foodie Friday to a bi-monthly thing, rather than weekly, but I will see how I go!

Today's ingredient is cinnamon. I use it all the time, such as in the Passion Pleasers I posted about on Sunday. Other recipes I have created on my blog which use cinnamon are:

• spiced pineapple syrup cake
• choc banana quinoa cookies
• zuchinni brownies
• breakfast cakes
• quinoa breakfast bowl
• nut, seed and banana bread
• waffles
• power balls. 

It is delicious, and can be used in sweet and savoury dishes, and in meals, treats or drinks, and in an oil for therapeutic use. Even if you don't use it as the feature flavour in a dish, it can be a hidden added nutrient!

Cinnamon was once highly valued in trading, more so than gold, and it is not hard to see why. 

Just half a teaspoon a day can help lower your levels of bad cholesterol (LDL - low density lipoprotein). It contains manganese, calcium, iron, and dietary fibre. It has anti fungal, antibacterial, anti parasitic, anti-clotting and anti inflammatory properties (amazing!). It is a natural food preservative due to its ability to prevent bacterial growth.The smell can boost brain activity, and cognitive and memory function, and can relieve nervous tension. It can help improve the pain from arthritis, headaches, migraines and menstrual cramping. It keeps blood sugar levels steady, so is great for weight loss and type 2 diabetes.  It is also safe for people with Fructose Malabsorption and following a FODMAP diet. To top it all off, it is delicious! 

What a fantastically beneficial ingredient to add to your meals and drinks! 

Glimpse into Motivation Monday - week 7 2014

Welcome to the new blog series... Motivation Mondays! To get things started, here is an idea to think about this week....

 "Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin.
Beginning makes the conditions perfect."

 

A big part of having a chronic illness is waiting. Waiting for answers, waiting for results, waiting for improvements. It could be easy to fall into the trap of putting your life on pause, and just waiting. As I often say though, this is our life, we only have this one chance, and it is up to you whether you let your illness become you, or whether you let it only be a part of you. If we wait for that miraculous moment when we feel healthy again, we may have let a great chunk of our life ramble past us like a tumble weed. Maybe you can not do the exact thing that you want to do, but find an option that makes you happy. For example, I can not work at the moment due to my health. I love my work as a nurse, so in the meantime, I keep myself happy learning more, and reading and writing about health. In doing so, I have discovered a new path for myself and love the idea of helping people improve their overall wellness through improved nutrition and lifestyle choices. Find your option! Begin, and keep happy and strong, and things will get better!

If you are healthy and thankfully free of a chronic health issue, this still applies to you! What are you putting off which you could do now? What if you put off that dream job until you are more confident, or when the kids are older, or when the sun, moon and earth are at a 45 degree angle, and you find yourself in an unexpected situation that keeps you from that dream job?! Act now. You don't know what could change down the track. Be brave, begin, and the happiness and self love that comes from beginning will make you strong enough to keep going.

Do not wait; begin. 

Glimpse into passion pleasers

My mantra for baking is if it is healthy enough to eat for breakfast yet tastes deliciously naughty, you are on a winner! These cake squares fit this motto, and are super easy and quick to make!  

 All you need is:

 

1/4 cup nut butter (I used almond, brazil and cashew butter)

1/4 cup tahini

1/3 cup rice syrup

2 large bananas

1/3 cup coconut flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

*170 g passionfruit pulp

 

All you  need to do is: 

1. Preheat the oven to 180C.
2. Line a baking pan with baking paper. Any size you have will do, but one about 20cm x 20cm will make a good thickness.
3. Pop all the ingredients into a blender or food processor; hold back with half of the passionfruit pulp and save it for later. Blend until smooth.
4. Pour the mixture into the pan evenly.
5. Top with the leftover passionfruit pulp.
6. Bake for 20-30 minutes, until firm and golden. Keep an eye on the topping, as it will burn. If it starts to catch, cover the pan with a piece of foil.
7. Let it cool and slice into squares.

************************************************************************************
The fun part...alternative additions:
 
*Instead of passionfruit pulp, use about 100g of one or two of the following:

• chopped dark chocolate or choc chips
• berries (frozen or fresh)
• drained, crushed pineapple
• dried blueberries, cranberries or pineapple
• crushed nuts
• quinoa flakes or gluten free oats (you may need to add a little water if your mixture becomes dry when blended)
• chopped pumpkin seeds, poppy seeds or toasted sesame seeds

*You could also try:

• 1 tablespoon of raw cacao
• 1 teaspoon of ginger powder
• 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger
• 1-2 tablespoons of vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons of LSA -linseed, sunflower seed and almond meal (you may need to add a little water if your mixture becomes dry when blended)
• Whole round slices of pineapple at the bottom of the tray, and then pour mixture over the top for a pretty and fruity pattern.

I hope you enjoy these nutritious treats, any time of the day! And they keep getting better...only the blender and pan to clean!! Winner!!